Parliament, Thursday, 9 October 2025 – The joint parliamentary oversight delegation issued a stern warning to Eastern Cape municipalities on Wednesday, stating that repeated failures in governance, financial accountability and service delivery will no longer be tolerated.
Following engagements with seven municipalities, the delegation, led by Dr Zweli Mkhize, who is also the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, called for visible, measurable progress and immediate corrective action. "The oversight engagements had exposed a troubling pattern of neglect, mismanagement and weak accountability that continues to erode public trust," said Dr Mkhize. "Progress must be visible, not theoretical. We have heard the same explanations for years, yet the conditions in communities remain unchanged," he said.
"If municipal leadership wants the public to support them, they must be willing to accept guidance, scrutiny and consequences. Oversight is not about punishment, but it is about fixing what is broken, and that requires courage and cooperation," said Dr Mkhize. "What is important for us is to appreciate that progress must be visible, that actions must be standardised and guided by the requirements we set, and that you as municipal leadership must be seen to be taking responsibility."
Regarding Makana Municipality, the delegation raised concerns over the continued failure to resolve long-standing issues in sewage management, infrastructure decay and unreliable service delivery. Dr Mkhize said that while there were signs of movement, systemic weaknesses remain entrenched. He directed the municipality to submit a comprehensive progress report within 60 days, outlining concrete actions, timelines and accountability measures.
Ms Dikeledi Direko, who chaired the session on Wednesday, criticised municipal leadership for protecting underperforming officials and failing to enforce consequence management. She said that errant officials would have been dismissed a long time ago if the municipality were a private institution. "We cannot continue to accept excuses and half-measures. Those who fail to deliver must face the consequences. Accountability is not optional."
During the engagement with the Sundays River Valley Municipality, Dr Mkhize noted that the municipality had been trapped in a cycle of disclaimers for years and there was little evidence of institutional learning or reform. "Partial compliance is not enough," he said. "Communities cannot live on promises. Inflated contracts, irregular appointments and poor coordination are not administrative errors, but are breaches of public trust."
Dr Mkhize called for urgent disciplinary action on reported financial irregularities and emphasised that provincial and local government must work in partnership to restore governance stability. "Oversight must build trust, not conflict. But trust can only exist when there is transparency and action," he said.
Following the meeting with the Enoch Mgijima Municipality, Ms Direko requested that the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs submit a detailed report within 14 days and investigate the process followed to purchase an official vehicle for the Executive Mayor. It is alleged to have been purchased at an amount exceeding the perks allowed. Ms Direko said that, should this prove to be true, the matter should be referred to the relevant institutions, such as the Public Protector and law enforcement agencies. The delegation further condemned the behaviour of the Speaker of the municipality when she was asked to clarify the process followed, labelling her conduct unparliamentary.
The municipality was directed to investigate all pending allegations of irregular expenditure and procurement irregularities. Ms Direko warned that any public funds misused must be recovered, and those responsible must be held to account.
Another concern was the municipality's overreliance on consultants. "The municipality cannot outsource its responsibilities indefinitely," said Ms Direko. She cautioned that the overuse of consultants places a huge strain on public funds. The municipality was directed to present an action plan for skills transfer and indicate how it will take ownership of its governance systems.
Following the engagement with Mhlontlo Municipality, Ms Direko acknowledged some progress but said implementation remained a major weakness. "You have presented plans before, but they remain plans on paper. Now we need to see delivery. Allegations of mismanagement and incomplete audit responses must be resolved, and disclosure of financial interests by management must be enforced," she said.
Dr Mkhize on Tuesday made it clear that Parliament's patience was running out. "The system is under strain, but it is within our power to change it. We have seen commitment in words, but now it must translate into action. Communities do not live in reports. They live in the consequences of failed governance. That must end," he cautioned.
The delegation's findings and directives will form part of a consolidated report. The report will include recommendations for enforcement and follow-up action by the relevant provincial and national authorities.
The joint delegation, in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, will conclude engagements today (Thursday).
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE LEADER OF THE JOINT DELEGATION, DR ZWELI MKHIZE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the delegation’s media officer:
Name: Alicestine October (Ms)
Cell: 083 665 4345
E-mail: aoctober@parliament.gov.za
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